Keeping employees engaged and motivated is one of the top challenges employers face. A 2013 Gallup study found that just 29% of North American workers were engaged at work — and that was before the pandemic ushered in the current era of burnout, mass resignations and difficult working conditions.

It may be tougher than ever to keep employees happy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Multiple studies have found that incentives and recognition programs are powerful motivators. And while no one’s ever been upset about a bonus in their paycheck, it turns out that cash rewards aren’t even the most effective kind — according to numerous studies, people tend to prefer physical gifts.

Here are a few ways you can use promotional products and branded gifts to create a culture of recognition that boosts employee morale and inspires your teams to give their all.

1. Welcome Kits

A culture of recognition should start at onboarding. And what better way to recognize new employees than a welcome kit filled with items they’ll need in their new role or gifts that show how much you appreciate them joining the team?

Welcome kits can include functional items like note pads, badge holders, writing instruments and coffee mugs. Or they can include gift-type items such as noise-cancelling headphones, gourmet chocolates and fleece pullovers. The best kits will often include a mix of both, with some or all of the items decorated in your company logo to make the recipient really feel like part of the team.

Throwing in a hand-written note or printed card is always a good option, too, as it adds a personalized touch and lets you communicate the “why” behind the kit. Talk about a great first impression!

2. Remote Work Kit

This is similar to the above, but geared specifically toward remote or hybrid workers. These employees can be particularly tough to motivate, as remote work can be isolating and the lack of a central office makes it harder to build and maintain company culture.

A remote work kit has many of the same benefits as a welcome kit: It shows employees you value them while making them feel like part of something bigger via the items branded with your company logo. But it differs in that you can tailor the contents to the remote-work environment — a comfy hoodie, tech accessories that make working from home easier, etc. — and you can send it any time, not just at onboarding.

You can even send a new kit at regular intervals (quarterly, yearly, etc.) to keep reminding employees that you’re thinking of them and you appreciate their efforts.

3. Team-Building Events

Virus precautions and remote work have made it tricker to get employees together in one place, especially for office jobs. But, if you get creative, you can still hold team-building events — and promotional products work great for supporting these activities and reinforcing that “teamwork” message.

Outdoor activities, for example, are easier to pull off right now, so how about hosting a company picnic with special T-shirts and gift bags for those who attend? Or, what about a workplace fitness challenge with a branded water bottle as a kickoff gift and various rewards for hitting certain goals? (If you can’t get everyone together in person, you can still do this virtually and ship items to participants.)

If you want to go even bigger, you could sponsor a local charity event, like a 5K, where employees can volunteer while wearing company-branded gear and handing out branded giveaways.

4. Awards and Recognition Programs

In one Harvard Business Review study, 72% of respondents said recognition has a “significant” impact on employee engagement. So it’s smart to treat recognition as an ongoing, key initiative for your business and not as an afterthought.

One way to do that is by implementing year-round or recurring recognition programs. You could try an annual year-end awards ceremony (held in person or virtually) where top performers receive laser-engraved plaques or award trophies. Or, you could create a rewards system where employees earn points they can redeem for gifts they choose themselves.

Whatever approach you choose, just remember to prioritize and promote it so employees are aware and involved. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results right away — it takes time to build a culture of recognition, but your employees are well worth it.

Written by Sean Norris